Valve



Sept. 18; 1928. 1,684,603 H. L. STEPHENSON y VALVE Filed June 3, 1927 3/ i Z9 v49a JO ,7M f

0N ll 45 v f,

244,; MVM

A TMR/V5' mi Patented Sept. 18,1928'.

Unirse STATES HENRY L. srnrnnnson, en BUFFALO, nnwvonx.

VALVE. l

Application mea aune s,

T his invention relates toelectrically operated valves, and particularly to the type useful for the controlof gas flow to a gas burner. One object ofthis invention is to provide an improved and simplified electrically operated valve, which will be dependable and certaininaction; with which the valve element will be yieldingly held in both open and closed positions; and with which a maximum magnetic pull causing operations in both directions may be obtained.

ir further object of the invention is toA provide an improved electrically operated valve which will be relatively compact-7 simple and inexpensive.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention7 and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

ln the accompanying drawings z Fig. 1 is an elevation, with the auxiliary casing in section, of an electrically operated valve constructed in accordance with this invention lFig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe same; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the same, with tneV section taken approximately along the line 8 3 of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 1i is a sectional plan of the same with the section taken approximately along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; and n Y1ig' 5 is a diagram illustrating electric c'rcuits which may be employed foroperating the valve.

in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the valve proper may have a casing 1, formed with a valve seat 2, and having a valve element 8 movable toward and from the seat to open or close the valve. rlhe valve element 'may have an operating stem et which reciprocates in and through a passage 5 in a wall of the valve casing. An auxiliary casing G for housing the operating mechanism may be attached to the valve casing l in any suitable manner, and the stem 4f of the valve element 3 extends into the casing 6. The casing G is preferablya Closed cas'- ing7 and therefore packing between the stem 4 and the passage will be unnecessary. The end plates 7 and S of the `auxiliary casing 6 are preferably of magnetic material, and the side shell of the casing is preferably of nonmagnetic material, such as brass. rlhe side shell ofthe auxiliary casing may 1927. Serial No. 196,204,

bejclamped between the end plates 7 and in any suitable manner7 such as by bolts or studs 9, which pass between the end plates 7 `and e in order to draw them toward one another, and to clamp the side shell between them. One of theplates, such as 8, may be utilized as the part of the auxiliary casing which is attached to the valve casing. A relatively flat armature or bar 10 of magnetic material is disposed in the auxiliary casing 6 and pivoted at one end to another stud 9a, preferably ina slot or opening ll of that stud. This armature or bar l0 adjacent its free end is provided with an aperture 12 into or through which the valve stem 4 extends, the stem being pivoted, by a pin 13, to

the armature bar as it passes through the same. lhe'passage or aperture 12 in the armature bar may be somewhat larger than the stem, so as to permit fof the free pivotal movement of the armature bar and an enolwise reciprocating movement of the valve stem. l

Electromagnetic vcoils lil are secured by their core ends to one of the end plates, such as 7, of the auxiliary easing, so4 as toproject towards the armature bar. Similarly another pair ofv electromagneticl coilsv15 are secured by their core ends to the other end plate 8 of the auxiliary casing,"so as to extend towards'the armature or bar 10 from the opposite direction',l that is on the'op'-v posite side of the armature orV bar. The armature l() isthus disposed between the free core ends of the two sets of electromagnetic coils 14: and 15 and oscillates between these sets. The free core ends of these sets of electromagnetic coils have their end faces in planes which converge toward the pivotal axisV of the armature or bar, so that as the armature approaches the free vcore ends of either set ofelectromagnetic coils, it will be substantially parallel to and equdistant from both core ends of that set of coils. In view of the fact that the end plates 7 'and f8 are of magnetic material, each end plate and the coils and their cores connected thereto constitute in effect a horse shoe electromagnet extending at its open side towards the armature and with the armatureV or magnetic bar l0 forming the keeper for both of these horse shoe electromagnets.

A stud or post 16 extends into the interiorof the auxiliary casing from one of the end plates orwalls, such as 8,7and. at a point approximately in line with or in the plane Vthe lever' 1S will be oscillated concomitantly l, with the movements of the armature 10. The

fao

lever 18 preferably extends along the stud or post 16 toward one of the end plates, such as 8, and at its free end is provided with two cam edges 19 'and 2O whichintersect one another at an oblique angle, both of these cam edges being also oblique to a theoretical line joining their junctionor intersection with one another with the pivot pin 17.

A leaf spring 21 is secured in any suitable manner to the interior of the auxiliary casing 6, such Vas to the end plate 8, and at its free endthis leaf spring rotatably supports a cam follower' or roller 22 which is yieldingly pressed by the leafspring against the intersectingcam edges or surfaces 19 and 20, the cam roller engaging with said edges 19 and 20 alternately as the lever is oscillated by the oscillations of the armature between open and closed positions.` The point of intersection of the edges or surfaces 19 and 2O is so disposed relatively to the cam f roller that the cam roller passes this point Vof intersection when the armature at an intermediate point of its travel in either direction between open and closed positions of the valve element. The pressure of the Vcam roller upon the surfaces 19 and 2O tends to rotate the lever 18 in one direction or the other depending upon which cam surface the edge 19 or 20 the roller happens to be engaging at any time, and hence the lever, and lthrough it the armature and valve element,V will be yieldingly biased toward either openor closed position from an intermediate position. l y

Threaded rods or studs 23 and 24 mayv be provided within the casingt and extend from one of the end plates, such as 8. Y Leaf spring contacts 25 and 26 are mounted on said studs 23 and 24y respectively,`for adjustment along the same in any desired manner,

such as b f clam )ino the contacts 25 and 26 D between nuts 27 which are threaded upon the studs and disposed upon both sides of the contact spring. The contacts are insulated from the studs and nuts in any suitable .mark ner, such as by insulating washers or elements 28. The contact extends at its free end belowthe free end of the armature for engagement thereby when the armature moves in a direction to carry the valve element into closed position, the contactl being through suitable electrical mains 32.

resilient and flexing to permit a slight con tinued movement of the armature as it approaches its closed position. Similarly, the contact 26, also of resilient material, extends above the free end of the armature for en gagement thereby, as the armature approaches its upper limit of movement or open position, this contact also iiexing to Some extentto permit continued movement of the armature into its full open position as it engagesthe contact 26. Suitable circuit terminals or posts 29 and 3() are mounted on andextend through one of the plates ot' the auxiliary casing, Vsuch as the plate 7, these posts or terminals lbeing insulated from the plate 7 ineany suitable manner, such as by washers or bushings 31.

VReferring now particularly to Fig. 5 which illustrates diagrammatically the circuit connections which may be employed for causing operation of the valve,` and which also`V illustratesthe circuits of the electromagnetic coils 14 and 15, the source of current for the operation of the valve may be supplied The current passing through the mains 32 may be reduced in voltage by a transformer 33 of any suitable construction. connects one terminal of the output side of the transformer to the armature 10, the armature being preferably and for convenience grounded in the frame, that is to the casingV 6 to which for convenience the wire 34 leads. A wire 35 connects the uppercontact 26 to one end of one of the coils .15, the coils 15 being connected in series with one another, and the oitherend of the other coil 15 is connected by .wire36 to one of the terminals or posts in the plate 7, such as the post 29, connection being` made at the end ofthe post which is within the casing 6. The upper electromagnetic' coils 14 are preferably con` nected in `parallel to one another in order to obtain greater pull, and the wire 37 connects the lower contact 25 -with one vend of these parallel connected coils 14. A wire 38 con nects the other ends of the coils 14 to vthe inner end of the terminal post 30.

Oneor more on switches 39 and oit switches V4() maybe provided for controlling the electromagnets 14 and 15. `A wire 41 connects the other output terminal of the A wire 34 Y transformer33 with one side of both switches Y armature happens to be in an upper position, that is inits vattractive position with respect to that electromagnet, the circuit will be open at the Contact 25 and the armature. be in its retracted position with respect to those electromagnetic coils 14, the circuit will be completed as traced, and currentwill pass through both of the coils 14 in parallel, and cause an attraction of the armature upwardly, thus moving the valve stem upwardly into its open position. rIhe then passes to theV burner, not shown, and the water in the domestic heating boiler 44 is then heated in a well known manner.

If at any time thereafter the switch 40 is operated, a circuit will be established as follows: from the transformer 33 through wire 41, switch 40, wire 43, terminal post 29, wire 36, the series coils 15 wire V35, contactQG, armature' 10 and wire 34, back to the transformer. The circuit thus established will energize the electromagnet 15 and create a downward pull upon the armature, theV downward movement of the armature causing a movement of the valve element 3 into closed position in the seat 2. This circuit is broken as soon as the armature becomes disengaged vfrom the Contact 26. In order that the circuit last described may be effective to cause a movement of the valve element into closed position when sufficient water has been heated, and without requiring manual attention, I may also mount a thermostatic switch 'y 45 of any suitable construction adjacent to the boiler 44, so

' that when the water inthe boiler 44 down to the switch 45 is heated to the desired temperature, the switch automatically 'will close a circuit between the wires 46 and 47, which are connected respectively to the wires 41 and 43. This thermostatic switch thus automatically closes a circuit in parallel to the switch 40 withoutmanual attention. The switch 45 may be mounted for adjustment lengthwise, that is vertically,along the tank 44, so that-the amount of water which will be'heated to a desired temperature before the burner'is out ofi' may be varied.

To indicate visually at the switches 39 and 40, the condition of the valve, a high resistance electric lamp 48 may be connectedV in shunt acrossr the off switch 40. -With a lamp connected in that manner, a circuit through the lampv will be established whenever the armature is in its open position where it engages the Contact 26.- The resistance of the lamp, however, is so Vhigh that the current flowing in the cut ofl circuit will be insufficient to cause actuation or movement ofthe armature 10. The illumination of the lamp, however, by this current will clearly show that the burner for the heater is running, that is, that the valve is open. l/Vhenever the switch 4() is operated or the thermostaticswitch is effective, the

If, however, the armature happens to lamp 48 will be shunted bythe operation of the switches40 and 45, thus `cutting' out the relatively high resistance caused bythe lamp. Immediately considerable current will flow in the circuit through the coils 15, and this current'will be suflicient to cause movement of the armature and valve element into closed position.

The operation of the valve will be understood from the preceding description, it being noted that the valve element is moved alternately'between open and closed positions through the action of the armature 10, depending upon which'horse shoe electromagnet is effective upon the armature. It will be further-observed that the valve element will be yieldingly biased into either open or closed positions from an intermediate position, so that the valve element will remain in the position into which it is moved. The construction is relatively simple and inexpensive, and has been found to function very satisfactorily, and to be dependable as well as compact.

It will be obvious that various changes in the details, which have been herein de'- scribed and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled inthe art within the principle and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention Y 1. An electrically operated valve, comprising a valve element movablev between open and closed positions, a pivoted armature connected to said valve element vto cause movement of the latter between said positions, electromagnetic means disposed to attract said armature alternately between open and closed positions, a leverv pivoted adjacent the armature for oscillation upon an axis parallel to the axis of oscillationV of the armature, said lever having in its edge nearest the armature a notch embracing a portion of the armature, whereby the armature will rock in said notch and cause oscillation of said lever in either direction,.and a spring device acting upon said lever to bias it and said" armature in either direction from an intermediate position, whereby the l armature and. valver element will be yieldingly biased into either open or closed position.

2. electrically operated valve comprising a valve element mounted for movement between open and closed positions, an armature connectedgto said element for movement therewith in both directions, a pivoted lever having in its edge adjacent its pivot a notch rockably engaging a portion of the armature, said lever .having intersecting cam surfaces oblique to one another, and a spring pressed follower running on said cam surfaces alternatelyas the lever is shifted by the movements of said armature between on said valve casing, a valve element in said valve casing and having a stem extending into said auxiliary casing, said v alve element and stem being movable between open and closed positions, an armature connected to said stem and disposed in said auxiliary'casing for movement concomitantly with said valve stem, electromagnetic means associated with said armature tor moving` the latter between said positions, studs mounted in said auxiliary casing, a spring Contact insulated from and carried by each ot said studs and extending` into proximity to said armature, one ot said contacts being disposed for contact by said armature when the armature approaches one of said positions, the other Contact being disposed for engagement with the armature when the armature approaches the other o1c its said positions, circuits for said electromagnetic means for controlling the movements of vsaid armature, the circuit for causing movement in each direction including the contact in engagement with the armature at the beginning` of that movement, and means for yieldingly biasing the armature and valve element into either o'li said positions from a neutral intermediate position.

9. In an electrically operated valve, a

valve casing, an auxiliary casing connected to said valve casing, a valve element in said valve casing having an operating stem extending into said auxiliary casingand movable between open and closedpositions, an armature in said auxiliary casing, an electromagnet disposed adjacent said armature and operable thereon to move the same and said valve element into open position, a second electromagnet disposed adjacent said armature and operable thereon to move the armature and valve element into closed position,

a stud extending into said auxiliary casing,V

a lever pivoted on said stud with the pivotal axis in approximately the plane of the armature when the armature is at an intermediate point in its movement between said electromagnets, said lever having in the edge adjacent said armature a notch roclrably embracing a portion of the armature to cause concomitant movement of said armature and lever and also having oblique cam surfaces, and a spring actuated cam roller acting upon said cam surfaces and yieldingly biasing said lever in either direction from an intermediate position through which saidV leverpasses as the armature moves between open valve casing having an operating stem extending into said lauxiliary casing and movable between open and closed positions, au armature in said auxiliaryV casing, a horse shoe electromagnet disposed adjacent said armature and operablethereon to move ythe same and said valve element into open position, a second lhorse shoe electromagnet disposed adjacent said armature and operable thereon to move the armature and valve element into closed position, a stud extending into said auxiliary casing, a lever pivoted on said stud with the pivotal axis in approximately the plane of the armature wheny the armature is at an intermediate point in its movement between said electromagnets, said lever having in the edge adjacent said armature a notch rockably embracinga portion of the armat re to cause concomitant movement of said armature and lever, and means having a cam action on said lever for biasing i it towards either limit of its movement from an intermediate position, whereby the valve element-will be yieldingly held in either open or closed position.

'11.7In an electrically operated valve, a valveV element having a stem and mounted for movement between open and closed positions, a bar armature pivotally mounted at one end and pivoted intermediate of its ends to said stem, horse shoe electromagnets disposed on opposite sides of said armature and toward and from the free core ends of which said armature moves as the valve element moves between openand closed positions, the free core ends ot said electromagnets converging towards the pivotal mounting ot said armature, so as to permit the close approach of said armature bar to the free core ends of both electromagnets, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent the .tree end of said armature and having a slot rockably engaging the free end of said'armature. and means acting upon saidv lever to bias it yieldingly' in either direction from an intermediate posit-ion, whereby said-armature and valve element will be yieldingly held in either both open or closed position and operating cirllo cuits for both of said electromagnets.

. HENRY'L. STEPHENSON. 

